Sensex rallies 309 points after US Fed pulls the trigger

Mumbai :Taking the US Fed rate hike as a sign of confidence, the benchmark Sensex today climbed for the fourth straight day as it closed over 309 points up at 25,803.78 — its biggest single-day gain in about a month.

The close was also a two-week high for the market. The NSE Nifty too retook the 7,800-level. The rally came on the back of a flurry of buying activity and a firm overseas trend after the US Federal Reserve hiked rates for the first time in nearly a decade. At 66.42, the rupee closed on a firm note against the dollar, which kept the mood upbeat.

Global equities climbed after the US Fed, as expected, hiked rates by 0.25 per cent, a hint that the economy is strengthening, which spurred buying, brokers said.

In its longest winning-run this month so far, the BSE Sensex took off on a positive note before settling higher by 309.41 points, or 1.21 per cent at 25,803.78.

Intra-day, it slipped into the negative zone briefly as participants locked in gains amid lingering uncertainty over passage of the key GST Bill. The gauge had gained about 450 points in the previous three sessions.

The 50-share NSE Nifty recaptured the 7,800-mark by surging 93.45 points, or 1.21 per cent, at 7,844.35. Both recorded their biggest single-day percentage gain since November 19.

“Equity benchmarks rallied on dovish comments from Fed chief Janet Yellen post a rate hike… Further, appreciation of the rupee against the dollar, lower level buying and short covering also helped the indices,” said Gaurav Jain, Director, Hem Securities. Tata Steel was the best performer on the BSE Sensex, up 4.76 per cent, as Vedanta Ltd and Hindalco too gained.

Out of the 30-share Sensex pack, 25 ended higher. Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings said India is not immune to
potential market jitters following interest rate hike by the US Fed, but favourable growth outlook makes it attractive for foreign investors. Other prominent gainers included RIL, Bajaj Auto, M&M, Sun Pharma and Hero MotoCorp.

Sector-wise, the BSE metal index gained the most by surging 2.46 per cent, followed by power 1.44 per cent, healthcare 1.39 per cent and auto 1.33 per cent.